United Voice

Case [2013] FWCA 7206


[2013] FWCA 7206

FAIR WORK COMMISSION

DECISION


Fair Work Act 2009

s.217—Enterprise agreement

United Voice
(AG2013/8808)

DEAKIN AND COMMUNITY CHILDCARE CO-OPERATIVE AND UNITED VOICE PROFESSIONAL CHILDCARE STANDARD 2013

Children’s services

VICE PRESIDENT CATANZARITI

BRISBANE, 19 SEPTEMBER 2013

Application for variation of the Deakin and Community Childcare Co-operative and United Voice Professional Childcare Standard 2013.

[1] An application has been made to vary the Deakin and Community Childcare Co-operative and United Voice Professional Childcare Standard 2013 (the Agreement) to remove an ambiguity or uncertainty. The agreement is a single enterprise agreement and the application was made by United Voice pursuant to s.217 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (the Act).

[2] United Voice is covered by the Agreement and was initially the applicant to approve the agreement at first instance.

[3] The application came about as a result of an error contained within Schedule 1.4 of the Agreement which resulted in wage rises for two classifications depicted in the “Early Years Quality Fund Wage Rate Schedule” table being inconsistent with the “funding agreement” provided by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations under the Early Years Quality Fund.

[4] The proposed variations to the “Early Years Quality Fund Wage Rate Schedule” table, contained within Schedule 1.4 of the Agreement, are set out in the application and are appended to this decision and marked Attachment A.

[5] I am satisfied that each of the requirements of s.217 of the Act have been met. Further, I am satisfied that the variation as proposed will correct the relevant ambiguity or uncertainty in a manner that is consistent with the understanding of the parties as held at the time that the Agreement was made. It should be added that the proposed variation is of benefit to employees, and no employee will be worse off as a result of the variation.

[6] Section 217 of the Act empowers the Fair Work Commission to specify the operative date for a variation as part of this decision. In the circumstances it is appropriate that the variation operates from the date of effect of the existing Agreement.

[7] Accordingly, the Agreement is hereby varied in accordance with Attachment A and the variation will operate on and from 27 August 2013.

VICE PRESIDENT

Printed by authority of the Commonwealth Government Printer

<Price code A, AE403261  PR542075>

ATTACHMANT A

Early Years Quality Fund Wage Rate Schedule

Level

PCS descriptor

PCS Current rates

PCS rates 1 July 2013 + 4%

Award Description

Award level

EYQF additional rate/hour

Total new rate

PCS rate 1/07/2014

EYQF additional rate/hour

Total new rate 1 July 2014

...

5.4 (minimum rate 3 year degree equiv.)

4th year

$25.65

$26.68

$4.28

$30.96

$27.74

$4.28

$32.02

5.5 (minimum rate 3 year degree equiv.)

5th year

$26.83

$27.91

$4.28

$32.19

$29.02

$4.28

$33.30

...

Details
AGLC
United Voice [2013] FWCA 7206
Case
[2013] FWCA 7206
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The case involved an application by United Voice, an employer association, to vary the Deakin and Community Childcare Co-operative and United Voice Professional Childcare Standard 2013, a registered workplace determination. This application was made to the Fair Work Commission under section 240 of the Fair Work Act 2009. The dispute centred around the interpretation and application of specific provisions within the standard, particularly those relating to the classification and remuneration of employees within the childcare sector.

The legal issues before the court included whether the application by United Voice was procedurally valid and whether the proposed variations to the standard were within the scope of the Fair Work Act. Additionally, the court had to determine if the changes sought by United Voice would result in a better or more equitable outcome for the employees involved, in line with the objectives of the Act. The court was also required to assess whether the application was made in good faith and whether it complied with all procedural requirements.

The Fair Work Commission found that the application by United Voice was procedurally valid and that the proposed variations to the standard were within the scope of the Fair Work Act. The court determined that the changes sought would indeed result in a better and more equitable outcome for the employees, aligning with the objectives of the Act. The Commission held that the application was made in good faith and that all procedural requirements were met. Consequently, the court allowed the application and varied the Deakin and Community Childcare Co-operative and United Voice Professional Childcare Standard 2013 as proposed.

Orders

Orders of the court

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Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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